whiskey barrels

We have a new house going up kitty-corner across the street from us. It's been under destruction and construction since last November. I don't know that they're really close to getting it finished. We're very ready for it to be finished.

There have been a zillion BIG trucks and not so big trucks on the street during all this. During the winter, we store one of our boats in the driveway, so our driveway was fairly safe from big truck traffic. However, once the boat went in the water, we needed a defensive measure, and we settled on half whiskey barrels. The barrels can be moved if we need the parking (Mark put a false bottom in them, so they're only half filled with dirt - so pretty lightweight). After we put them in place, we realized that the drivers of the big trucks wouldn't be able to see them, so we also had to put in some steel rods with reflective tape tied to them. We've actually become quite fond of the tape blowing in the wind - it's not a classy look by any means, but it's not trashy either. If we decide to put the planters out next summer, I'm thinking Mark should make some nice heavy-duty shepherd's hooks, and I'll have some hanging baskets instead of using reflective tape. Maybe a little classier! The driveway expanse actually looks way better with the barrels there, so it may be a look we use for a few years. Next year, I need to put more drape-y plants to hang over the edges of the barrel, but for a spur-of-the-moment, quick trip to Home Depot, I thought they came out looking okay.

Anyway, they're looking kind of good right now, so thought I'd show you what I did.

One of my neighbors gave me a pot of purple fountain grass for my birthday, so I used that in the end one - with persian shield and double red petunias. The persian shield isn't super showy with the fountain grass, but I'd definitely use it in a container again.

The next 2 barrels are planted the same: red cannas with a purple sage and some white spiky flower around the bottom. Now that the cannas are starting to bloom, it's looking good. My first time trying cannas, so very fun.

At the other end, I have a Knockout rose and a purple sage of some kind. I love the rose and plan to put it in the gardens this fall.

By the mailbox, I put a barrel full of coleus. It gets very little sun there, and it's filling in very nicely.

a fun walk-about

Okay, first, I just want to say that I am going to spend time blogging this weekend. I will check in on each of you, my fun blog friends, and I will answer all the lovely comments you've left me over the last few days, and I will do some posts before all of my current photos become un-current!

I feel like my life has been crazy lately, and I am not functioning well, and it is just time for that to end. So, thank you for having patience with me - it is greatly appreciated!


But, I simply must show you the fun stuff I found on my walk-around just now:

A turning red tomato!!!! Does this fall under the category of "just ask for what you want"??
Lynne, get in that car, it will be ripe by the time you get here!!


My first canna bloom - EVER!!!! This is the first year I've planted cannas, and these are the first buds. I am so excited!

I bought mini glads from Breck's this year - the first time I've planted glads. To be honest, I didn't really think I was missing anything by not planting glads before, but these are really very pretty. I think I put in about 50 plants in 5 different colors. So this is just the start!

Here's a red one - very pretty.

And the red and yellow together - didn't that work out nicely? Plus, these are sort of in front of my dark red climbing rose. (Trust me, all this color coordinating was a fluke!)